Oral History Interview
with
Hazel Martin
Interview by
Jane Abbott
CSHP 0004
Part 2
Colorado Springs History Project
CSHP
Pikes Peak Library District, Special Collections
Copyright 2015
Colorado Springs History Project
The Colorado Springs History Project was conducted between the years 2005-2010 in a joint effort to document and update the history of Colorado Springs from mid-20th century to 2010. This volunteer team included members from the region’s major academic libraries and faculties, as well as the Pikes Peak Library District and the Pioneers Museum. Administered and supervised by the Colorado Springs History Project Committee, the project interviewers consisted of a number of local volunteers.
The oral history portion of The Colorado Springs History Project identified and interviewed individuals who had helped to shape the city of Colorado Springs in various and diverse ways. Subjects were also sought as representative of inhabitants of the Pikes Peak region and could provide insight into the city’s story in the second half of the twentieth century. Interviews reflect the rapid growth of Colorado Springs from the post-World War II era to the early part of the twenty first century. Interviews touch on business and government relations, religious organizations, various non-profits, the Air Force Academy, Colorado College, key local businesses, and the growth of many important charitable services within the community. Several interviews touch on education in Colorado Springs, highlighting both secondary and post-secondary educational institutions.
The collection is comprised of 50 tapes, 19 CDs, and 2 DVDs with 32 individual interviews. These interviews are housed in the archives of Pikes Peak Library District’s Special Collections. A complete listing of the interviews is available at the Special Collections reference desk. Transcripts for many of the interviews are available for use.
Digitization
Audio from the Colorado Springs History Project was digitized between 2009 - 2011 and is available for study and use in the Special Collections department.
The Colorado Springs Oral History Project
Hazel Martin
Oral History Interview
CSHP 0004
Jane Abbott
Colorado Springs, Colorado
The following was taken from Jane Abbott’s notes during which time the tape recorder was briefly off.
During World War I, I was 10 or 11. It was agony to watch people reading the list of the dead. I was with my aunt and uncle in Salina, Kansas when I saw this. During that period my father worked on a streetcar.
I didn’t take art, music, or gym.
During World War Two, I was teaching at Cheyenne School, and we collected metal. We had to ration meat, sugar gas. Women had to do men’s jobs. I taught. I went with the school nurse to Palisade to pick peaches. He didn’t expect much from me, but I had picked berries as a child.
I remember the depression in 1929. I had just graduated and bang, the banks were closed. People were working for $100 a month. Then I moved to teach at Cheyenne (Mountain High School).
Martin That was beautiful part of apology .. They apologized to the public and the public apologizing to our state and national.
Abbott So, you think people got along much better in the earlier days?
Martin They got along much better because nobody had any money.
Abbott Are you talking about the Depression?
Martin Yes, we got along. There was nobody grabbing for anything, ‘cause there wasn’t anything to grab for.
Abbott How did teaching change during the time that you were a teacher, from the time you began until the time you retired?
Martin Well, my teaching changed every year because I made it different. But otherwise most of the teachers that were elementary teachers were teaching right through. In high school, I don’t know. It’s amazing how I got two jobs without a piece of paper or anything.
Abbott You got your jobs from going to an interview?
Martin I went to an interview with the superintendent of schools of Cripple Creek and Victor and that was Kenneth Geddes. I sat down with him and he gave me the job. Provide the same way I talked with Lloyd Shaw and Mrs. Shaw.
Abbott Was Lloyd Shaw the superintendent for Cheyenne Mountain? Who was Lloyd Shaw?
Martin I think you must be the only person in the country that doesn’t know Lloyd Shaw (everybody laughs). Well, he ran a school and he did the folk dancing. He took dance teams all over this country. But when I was fired, he said, “Now, look. I hired you because you know more about this subject than I do. And I would never interfere.” And he didn’t, except in the grading system. Worried the life out of me, because the children, the students in Cheyenne district were several notches higher than they were in other parts. And he, Lloyd Shaw, went by “the curve.” And I said “You cannot use the curve with 27 people.” But for a while I didn’t win. I had to try it.
Abbott But then in the end you stopped using the curve?
Martin I finally won! (laughs) He finally withdrew the regulation. But they have to fail 7%. Oh, I just couldn’t stand it. There were two boys that were absolutely perfect and he said, “Choose between for valedictorian.” But I couldn’t do it. And I don’t know what they did, those two boys. One died a doctor. The other one is the head of a big paper corporation in the northwest. He had his doctorate in chemistry.
Abbott Do you remember their names?
Martin Oh dear.
Abbott It doesn’t matter if you don’t remember
Martin Just one more question: what are you most proud of that you did in your life?
Martin Well, I am most proud of my bucking, bucking the difficulties and winning out. I was head of my class in North High, 450 people or thereabout. I was probably, I was … I don’t remember what I was in college but I made Phi Beta Kappa. And on top of that I am proud of my career. I loved those kids and I loved to teach. And I wouldn’t teach today for anything in the world.
Abbott Why do you say that?
Martin Oh, they have become so modern. We lost our hearts. I understand they were trying to organize something, I was to be honoured last week. But I don’t know whether I was or I wasn’t. But I don’t need these honors. But I really am proud of 40 years. Until this last year I got a valentine from one of the girls I taught in Victor and she said “Nothing gives me more pleasure than to send a valentine to my favourite teacher in Victor.” I used to chum around with a couple, the police captain and his wife. They used to pick me up a lot and go to Victor and celebrations … O’Donnell. (Ms. Martin asks Alex if he knew Captain O’Donnell).
The thing that really changed my life was … it was my senior year of high school and I was called to the Latin teacher’s office after school, and I thought ‘What have I done now?’ And she said, “Would you like to go to college?” And I said I was just getting through high school. So she said “If you would like to go to college, I will see you through.” That changed my way and I told her I was second in high school and she said, “No you’re not. Your first.” So, I had earned it and it was an exciting and important day in my life.
Abbott How did you decide to go to Colorado College?
Martin She went to Colorado College. She had he doctorate degree. She taught Latin. And before I ever went to high school, some girl said to me, “If you ever get the chance to take a course with Jean Ingersol, take it! No matter what it is.”
Abbott And that was the name of your Latin teacher?
Martin And she was the one. Believe it or not, there were about 30 in our high school, 4th Latin class. Fourth year!
Abbott I took two years of Latin, but I stopped after two.
Martin Well, I went ahead and majored in it. I had about nine years in Latin in all. Anyway, I have never forgotten Jean Ingersol. But when I could do it, I gave $50,000 or $85,000 to CC as agift annuity and it is bringing me $5,000 a year in interest. But I have CC the money. That’s why; I was interested in you mentioning CC.
Abbott Well, there are a number of people on the committee but many of the people are from CC. So, it is interesting that you graduated from there and Alex here did also.
Martin Yes, Alex.
Abbott Well, I don’t have any other questions but if you have anything you would like to tell me or talk about …
Martin Well, I really didn’t know what I was doing. It was not until my junior year. A lot has changed, I really was like the one sitting on a log and a student was on the other end. They came around, The International High School … whatever it is, was just organized. It was 1943 maybe. And they came around and took 10 of us. That was the first time I had any idea I was among the top ones. And then out of those 10, I ended up one. But we were lucky. We were on the edge of the Jewish area. And I’ll tell you, those kids studied. And they were good.
Abbott Well, I will stop now.

Click tabs to swap between content that is broken into logical sections.

Oral History Interview
with
Hazel Martin
Interview by
Jane Abbott
CSHP 0004
Part 2
Colorado Springs History Project
CSHP
Pikes Peak Library District, Special Collections
Copyright 2015
Colorado Springs History Project
The Colorado Springs History Project was conducted between the years 2005-2010 in a joint effort to document and update the history of Colorado Springs from mid-20th century to 2010. This volunteer team included members from the region’s major academic libraries and faculties, as well as the Pikes Peak Library District and the Pioneers Museum. Administered and supervised by the Colorado Springs History Project Committee, the project interviewers consisted of a number of local volunteers.
The oral history portion of The Colorado Springs History Project identified and interviewed individuals who had helped to shape the city of Colorado Springs in various and diverse ways. Subjects were also sought as representative of inhabitants of the Pikes Peak region and could provide insight into the city’s story in the second half of the twentieth century. Interviews reflect the rapid growth of Colorado Springs from the post-World War II era to the early part of the twenty first century. Interviews touch on business and government relations, religious organizations, various non-profits, the Air Force Academy, Colorado College, key local businesses, and the growth of many important charitable services within the community. Several interviews touch on education in Colorado Springs, highlighting both secondary and post-secondary educational institutions.
The collection is comprised of 50 tapes, 19 CDs, and 2 DVDs with 32 individual interviews. These interviews are housed in the archives of Pikes Peak Library District’s Special Collections. A complete listing of the interviews is available at the Special Collections reference desk. Transcripts for many of the interviews are available for use.
Digitization
Audio from the Colorado Springs History Project was digitized between 2009 - 2011 and is available for study and use in the Special Collections department.
The Colorado Springs Oral History Project
Hazel Martin
Oral History Interview
CSHP 0004
Jane Abbott
Colorado Springs, Colorado
The following was taken from Jane Abbott’s notes during which time the tape recorder was briefly off.
During World War I, I was 10 or 11. It was agony to watch people reading the list of the dead. I was with my aunt and uncle in Salina, Kansas when I saw this. During that period my father worked on a streetcar.
I didn’t take art, music, or gym.
During World War Two, I was teaching at Cheyenne School, and we collected metal. We had to ration meat, sugar gas. Women had to do men’s jobs. I taught. I went with the school nurse to Palisade to pick peaches. He didn’t expect much from me, but I had picked berries as a child.
I remember the depression in 1929. I had just graduated and bang, the banks were closed. People were working for $100 a month. Then I moved to teach at Cheyenne (Mountain High School).
Martin That was beautiful part of apology .. They apologized to the public and the public apologizing to our state and national.
Abbott So, you think people got along much better in the earlier days?
Martin They got along much better because nobody had any money.
Abbott Are you talking about the Depression?
Martin Yes, we got along. There was nobody grabbing for anything, ‘cause there wasn’t anything to grab for.
Abbott How did teaching change during the time that you were a teacher, from the time you began until the time you retired?
Martin Well, my teaching changed every year because I made it different. But otherwise most of the teachers that were elementary teachers were teaching right through. In high school, I don’t know. It’s amazing how I got two jobs without a piece of paper or anything.
Abbott You got your jobs from going to an interview?
Martin I went to an interview with the superintendent of schools of Cripple Creek and Victor and that was Kenneth Geddes. I sat down with him and he gave me the job. Provide the same way I talked with Lloyd Shaw and Mrs. Shaw.
Abbott Was Lloyd Shaw the superintendent for Cheyenne Mountain? Who was Lloyd Shaw?
Martin I think you must be the only person in the country that doesn’t know Lloyd Shaw (everybody laughs). Well, he ran a school and he did the folk dancing. He took dance teams all over this country. But when I was fired, he said, “Now, look. I hired you because you know more about this subject than I do. And I would never interfere.” And he didn’t, except in the grading system. Worried the life out of me, because the children, the students in Cheyenne district were several notches higher than they were in other parts. And he, Lloyd Shaw, went by “the curve.” And I said “You cannot use the curve with 27 people.” But for a while I didn’t win. I had to try it.
Abbott But then in the end you stopped using the curve?
Martin I finally won! (laughs) He finally withdrew the regulation. But they have to fail 7%. Oh, I just couldn’t stand it. There were two boys that were absolutely perfect and he said, “Choose between for valedictorian.” But I couldn’t do it. And I don’t know what they did, those two boys. One died a doctor. The other one is the head of a big paper corporation in the northwest. He had his doctorate in chemistry.
Abbott Do you remember their names?
Martin Oh dear.
Abbott It doesn’t matter if you don’t remember
Martin Just one more question: what are you most proud of that you did in your life?
Martin Well, I am most proud of my bucking, bucking the difficulties and winning out. I was head of my class in North High, 450 people or thereabout. I was probably, I was … I don’t remember what I was in college but I made Phi Beta Kappa. And on top of that I am proud of my career. I loved those kids and I loved to teach. And I wouldn’t teach today for anything in the world.
Abbott Why do you say that?
Martin Oh, they have become so modern. We lost our hearts. I understand they were trying to organize something, I was to be honoured last week. But I don’t know whether I was or I wasn’t. But I don’t need these honors. But I really am proud of 40 years. Until this last year I got a valentine from one of the girls I taught in Victor and she said “Nothing gives me more pleasure than to send a valentine to my favourite teacher in Victor.” I used to chum around with a couple, the police captain and his wife. They used to pick me up a lot and go to Victor and celebrations … O’Donnell. (Ms. Martin asks Alex if he knew Captain O’Donnell).
The thing that really changed my life was … it was my senior year of high school and I was called to the Latin teacher’s office after school, and I thought ‘What have I done now?’ And she said, “Would you like to go to college?” And I said I was just getting through high school. So she said “If you would like to go to college, I will see you through.” That changed my way and I told her I was second in high school and she said, “No you’re not. Your first.” So, I had earned it and it was an exciting and important day in my life.
Abbott How did you decide to go to Colorado College?
Martin She went to Colorado College. She had he doctorate degree. She taught Latin. And before I ever went to high school, some girl said to me, “If you ever get the chance to take a course with Jean Ingersol, take it! No matter what it is.”
Abbott And that was the name of your Latin teacher?
Martin And she was the one. Believe it or not, there were about 30 in our high school, 4th Latin class. Fourth year!
Abbott I took two years of Latin, but I stopped after two.
Martin Well, I went ahead and majored in it. I had about nine years in Latin in all. Anyway, I have never forgotten Jean Ingersol. But when I could do it, I gave $50,000 or $85,000 to CC as agift annuity and it is bringing me $5,000 a year in interest. But I have CC the money. That’s why; I was interested in you mentioning CC.
Abbott Well, there are a number of people on the committee but many of the people are from CC. So, it is interesting that you graduated from there and Alex here did also.
Martin Yes, Alex.
Abbott Well, I don’t have any other questions but if you have anything you would like to tell me or talk about …
Martin Well, I really didn’t know what I was doing. It was not until my junior year. A lot has changed, I really was like the one sitting on a log and a student was on the other end. They came around, The International High School … whatever it is, was just organized. It was 1943 maybe. And they came around and took 10 of us. That was the first time I had any idea I was among the top ones. And then out of those 10, I ended up one. But we were lucky. We were on the edge of the Jewish area. And I’ll tell you, those kids studied. And they were good.
Abbott Well, I will stop now.